Inside an airplane | Source: Shutterstock
I lost my cool when I was barred from boarding the flight. “You don’t understand! I need to see my baby!” I screamed at the airport staff, but it was all for naught. Then, an unexpected person lent me a helping hand. My name is Caitlyn, and this is the story of an unexpected journey I had to undertake.
When Declan and I welcomed our son, Eden, I stepped up on the household front and embraced my mommy duties, which made Declan the primary breadwinner of our family
A few months in, it was clear that the non-stop mom life was wearing me down. Eden’s nighttime wake-ups meant I barely got any rest. Declan would often ask, “Are you okay? You seem really tired lately.”
So, on my birthday, Declan did something unexpected. He handed me airline tickets for a getaway with my friends, insisting he’d hold down the fort with Eden while I was gone. I was worried it might be too much for him alone.
But Declan was adamant, “Caitlyn, you deserve a break. Don’t worry about us. Have a great time with your friends.”
So I agreed.
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A week later, Declan and Eden dropped me off at the airport. I really didn’t want to go on the trip, but I didn’t want my husband to feel like I didn’t appreciate his efforts. Declan had been such a sweetheart to ensure I got a break from my hectic mom life.
Boarding the plane, I couldn’t help but worry how Declan would manage without me. Why am I so worried? I wondered countless times. And every time, my heart concluded something was not right.
From the moment I landed in Japan, I couldn’t stop myself from calling Declan every hour to see how things were back home. My friends, Amanda, Sophie, and Veronica, thought I was overdoing it and would tease me, saying I was too worried for no reason.
But I had this nagging feeling that wouldn’t go away, a fear that something terrible might happen.
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Three days into the trip, we were at a party by the beach. My friends were all about having fun, checking out guys, and enjoying the scene. But I just couldn’t get into it.
“Hey, Caitlyn,” Sophie tried to get my attention, pointing out some guy. “Look at him. Isn’t he something?”
“I’m not really feeling it, Sophie. I think I’d rather head back to the hotel. Sorry.”
Sophie looked at me, a bit annoyed. “Is this about Declan and Eden again? Come on, Caitlyn, you’re here to have fun. You’re worrying too much. And that phone of yours isn’t helping!”
When she tried to grab my phone, I lost it. “STOP, SOPHIE!” I yelled, pulling away. That definitely killed the party mood for Veronica and Amanda, too. “I’ve had it. I’m not up for this party.”
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I rushed back to the hotel, all worked up, and started dialing Declan again. I must’ve tried him three times at the beach, and now I was up to ten times with no answer.
Feeling desperate, I tried calling Mrs. Louis, our neighbor, to see if she could check on them. But I couldn’t get through to her either. I was a mess, crying and not knowing what to do next.
Suddenly, my phone rang, and it was Mrs. Louis. I could hear noise in the background.
“Mrs. Louis!” I cried out. “Declan’s not picking up. Can you check on him and Eden for me? I’m in Japan, and I’m really worried.”
“Caitlyn, thank God you’re okay,” Mrs. Louis said. “There’s been a fire at your place. The firefighters are still there trying to get it under control.”
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“Fire?” I felt my heart stop. “Hello? Mrs. Louis, can you hear me?” But then the call was cut off.
I tried calling back but no luck. I was freaking out and ran back to where my friends were.
“What’s going on, Caitlyn? Why are you crying?” Sophie asked worriedly.
“There’s been a fire… Declan and Eden…”
I couldn’t hold back the tears after learning about the fire at home.
“Hey, hey, calm down, okay?” Amanda said, hugging me. “Did something happen to Declan and Eden?”
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I somehow told my friends about the fire, insisting we had to get back ASAP. They all came with me to the airport. But when I tried to book a flight to New York, everything was sold out.
“We might have to wait, Caitlyn,” Amanda said. “Let’s just hope everything’s fine.”
“No way, I need to get back now!”
I couldn’t wait any longer.
I started asking almost everyone at the check-in counter if they’d sell me their ticket to New York. But it wasn’t going well. Some people didn’t understand English and the ones who did just said no.
Then, out of nowhere, an older lady came up to me.
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“Are you trying to buy a ticket?” she asked in a kind voice.
“Yes!” I answered, desperately and quickly. “I’ll pay anything, even give you these diamond earrings. They’re really special to me, but I need to get home to my husband and my baby. Please, can you sell me your ticket?”
She smiled and handed me her ticket. “No need for all that. Take this. I’m Brenda.”
I couldn’t believe it. “Thank you so much! I’m Caitlyn. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
Brenda just nodded. “You should hurry. Your flight’s leaving soon.”
I thanked her again and rushed off, amazed by her kindness.
But my relief was short-lived as they stopped me at the gate.
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“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the airline employee at the desk said, looking from my passport to the ticket. “The names don’t match. You can’t board.”
“Please, you don’t get it! I have to see my baby!” I screamed, my voice rising in desperation. “I need to get back, it’s an emergency!”
“I understand, but I can’t let you through. Rules are rules,” the employee said, not unkindly but firmly. “Please step back.”
Just when I thought I’d break down right there, another airline staff came over. “We’ve sorted it out, ma’am. You can board,” she said, giving me a sympathetic look.
I was too rattled to ask questions. All I could think about was getting back to Declan and Eden.
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Several hours later, I got home and found what was left of our house partially destroyed by the fire, with no sign of Eden and Declan anywhere.
I ran over to Mrs. Louis’ house, my heart pounding, scared and confused about where my husband and son could be.
Mrs. Louis told me Declan and Eden were taken to the hospital immediately after the accident and were getting the care they needed. I dashed to the hospital, my mind racing with worry.
The doctors told me Declan and Eden were okay, all things considered, but they needed to stay under observation. It turns out the fire was caused by an electrical fault at home.
Seeing Declan and Eden hurt but alive brought tears to my eyes. I was overwhelmed with relief that they were okay.
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After about two weeks, when they were released from the hospital, we moved into Mrs. Louis’ guest room temporarily since our home was still being fixed. That’s when I told Declan about the kind lady who helped me catch my flight back.
Declan thought it was only right to reach out and thank her. We found her profile on Facebook and realized she was no ordinary lady but the mother of the airline’s owner, which explained why I was allowed on the flight without a matching ticket.
We sent her a thank-you message on Facebook, and to our surprise, she replied. She even accepted our invitation to dinner.
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Brenda came over with a bouquet of flowers and got to meet not just us but Mrs. Louis, too. Since that day, our families have grown close, sharing a bond forged by kindness and gratitude in tough times.
Sometimes, we should trust our instincts, no matter what others around us say.
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